--- title: "Nikola Recalls Electric Trucks Because ‘Foul Play’ Fires Were Actually Coolant Leaks" description: "The reason for the June fire that torched Nikola's electric trucks was a battery coolant leak, not foul play like the company claimed." date: "2023-08-14" modified: "2023-08-14" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/nikola-recalls-electric-trucks-because-foul-play-fires-were-coolant-leaks" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" --- # Nikola Recalls Electric Trucks Because ‘Foul Play’ Fires Were Actually Coolant Leaks ![]() *Nikola Motors* Back in late June, electric semi-truck startup [Nikola Motors said foul play]() was the cause of a fire that toasted several vehicles at its Phoenix, Arizona headquarters. Shortly after, the Phoenix Fire Department concluded that there was no evidence to backup such claims and that the cause of the fire was "undetermined." However, the cause is undetermined no longer. It turns out a coolant leak in the battery packs likely started the fires, causing Nikola to recall all 209 battery-electric trucks that it has delivered or built to date. Nikola has walked back its previous claims as a result of the finding. The company's official line, stated in a [press release](), is that "foul play or other external factors were unlikely to have caused the incident." A third-party investigation by Exponent found the coolant leak, which was then confirmed when another "minor thermal incident" occurred on an engineering validation truck at the Coolidge, Arizona plant on August 10. According to Nikola, the culprit behind the leak is a single supplier component, and these reported fires are the only known "thermal incidents." ![]() **Phoenix Fire Department** In addition to the recall, Nikola has put a stop-sale on all electric trucks until the issue can be remedied. Despite these moves, Nikola isn't telling existing owners to stop using their trucks. Instead, owners are being advised to park their vehicles outside, "for over-the-air updates and better connectivity" with Nikola's monitoring service, in the company's words—not explicitly because the trucks could catch fire and burn a warehouse down. Customers are also being told to keep the Main Battery Disconnect (MBD) switch on at all times. This recall doesn't affect Nikola's [hydrogen fuel cell trucks](), though. Those employ a different battery pack design and don't share this issue. Between the company's founder being busted for fraud, recently hiring its fourth CEO in as many years, and now these fires, it seems that Nikola can't get out of its own way. Shares were [down by nearly 12 percent]() Monday morning following the news of the recall and pause on sales. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()